What is foursomes and how does the format work?

It’s a popular format at all levels, but what is foursomes in golf? Here’s how it works…

Played at clubs all over the world and used by top-level tournaments such as the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, and Solheim Cup, it’s one of the more popular formats in the sport. But what is foursomes in golf?

Foursomes is a format contested between two-man pairings. Rather than playing their own ball throughout, players hit alternate shots until the hole is complete.

Players alternate hitting tee shots, so one tees off on all the odd holes and the other on all the even holes.

Indeed, the format is often referred to as “alternate shot”.

Foursomes can be played as match play (where teams compete to win holes) or stroke play (where teams compete to finish in the fewest number of strokes).

It is generally considered one of the hardest formats of the game, as it often requires one or both players to adjust to a ball they have little experience of using, while it can also disrupt their usual rhythm.

Here’s an example of how foursomes works:

• 1st hole: Player A tees off, Player B hits the second shot, Player A putts, Player B taps in
• 2nd hole: Player B tees off, Player A hits the second shot, Player B holes the putt

It goes on like this until the match or round is over.

How does handicapping work in foursomes?

In foursomes match play, each team will have a combined handicap. Here’s how you work it out:

• Calculate each player’s course handicap
• Combine the two players’ course handicaps
• Apply a 50% handicap allowance by dividing the total number by two

Example: In Team 1, if Player A’s course handicap is 10 and Player B’s course handicap is 20, you will add them together (30) and divide by two (15). So Team 1’s handicap will be 15.

To determine the number of strokes that will be received for the match, you simply work out the difference between the two team handicaps.

So if Team 1’s handicap is 15 and Team 2’s handicap is 5, Team 1 will receive 10 strokes (15-5) and Team 2 will play off zero.

For stroke play, you calculate your team handicap in the same way, but then at the end of the round you will subtract this from your total score to determine your net score.

Example: If Team 1’s handicap is 15 and they shoot 90, their final score will be 75.

• NOW READ: How does the fourballs format work?